Pozzuoli Port Blocked by Protest Over Earthquake Aftermath

Tensions are high in Pozzuoli, Italy, as residents grapple with the aftermath of a powerful 4.7 magnitude earthquake, the strongest recorded in the Campi Flegrei area. The seismic event has caused extensive damage, leading to a protest where approximately a thousand demonstrators blocked the city's port for an hour. Protesters, including activists and families, demanded immediate interventions to address the population's distress and sought a meeting with Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.

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In my judgment, the institutional chain of command has worked well. But we must understand the state of mind of the population of Pozzuoli and all of Campi Flegrei.

The demonstration concluded when the minister agreed to meet a delegation in the prefecture, allowing maritime traffic to resume to the islands of Ischia and Procida. However, the situation remains critical. In Pozzuoli, the number of damaged buildings continues to rise as firefighters assess properties. So far, 57 buildings are unusable, forcing the evacuation of 395 housing units and leaving over 700 people displaced, though 568 have found independent accommodation. Thirteen schools and 14 places of worship are also closed due to damage.

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As institutions, we will continue to share the concerns of this population, which are also ours.

Authorities, including the prefect of Naples and the regional president, are coordinating relief efforts. While water supply issues persist, with reinforced water tanker services in place, repairs to the damaged network are ongoing. Unions are calling for extraordinary measures, such as tax deferrals and mortgage payment suspensions for affected residents and businesses. Minister for Civil Protection Nello Musumeci has assured that the government is committed to providing financial support, with over 550 million euros already allocated and further funds available as infrastructure needs become clearer.

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The Government is here, also from a financial point of view. Everything that has been allocated, over 550 million euros, will be supplemented by the needs that emerge in the infrastructural interventions.